of the District the
With the theme of We’ve Got The Power, Allegheny Valley highlighted its belief that all students have the power to work hard and achieve great things. This year, emphasis was placed on creating education to form a new standard and enthusiastically build a better school district. Encouraging new academic and creative achievements, the District began a number of programs and projects; was awarded over $200,000 in grants; extended a co-teaching program; and celebrated students and staff who won numerous awards over the course of the school year.
The last twelve months were also highlighted by attaining important benchmarks: starting a new reading series, piloting a math intervention program, and opening a wellness room at the elementary; broadening the co-teaching program and integrating a junior high identity program to help with the transition of students at the high school; increasing technology support and incorporating and exploring new textbooks and resources throughout the District. These programs encourage staff and students to help create a more supportive environment throughout the buildings. Expanding communication methods also continues to be an area of concentration.
New initiatives began at the start of school and, as the District moved through the year, additional programs, training for staff, and opportunities for students have come to the forefront. Parents and community members are urged to look for updates in weekly newsletters, on the website, on social media, and through building-level communication. As 2023-2024 continues, Allegheny Valley looks forward to exceeding expectations along the way.
Close-up:
Our Students:
Student Attendance Rate**
“Attendance Rate” is redefined as “the percentage of students enrolled in a school for 90 or more school days and present 90% or more of these school days.”
Student Graduation Rate*
* This Cohort Graduation Rate represents the percent of students who graduate in four years with a regular high school diploma.
College and Career Benchmark
Our District:
◆ The District covers approximately 9.6 miles in area.
◆ 1:1 Technology Program in process in grades Pre-K - 12.
◆ Approximately 76% of graduates continue on to some type of formal or higher education, with 0% entering the armed services, 9% entering the job market, and 15% undecided..
◆ Millage Rate: 20.8377 mills
◆ Transportation contracted through W.L. Roenigk, Inc.
Our Buildings:
Acmetonia Elementary School
◆ 19:1 Student/Teacher Ratio*
◆ Pre-Kindergarten, Full-Day Kindergarten, Library, Health, Physical Education, STEAM, Art, and Music classes.
◆ Special programs include: Title I, Gifted and Talented Education (GATE), and special education support programs.
◆ Renovation Project completed January 2019.
Springdale Jr-Sr High School
◆ 17:1 Student/Teacher Ratio*
◆ Special programs include: Independent Study, Vocational-Technical Education, College/Career Articulation, Dual Enrollment, Innovation Lab, Early College Admission, Advanced Placement courses, Gifted and Talented Education (GATE), special education support programs.
◆ 28 Extra-curricular activities, along with 11 Varsity, five Junior Varsity, and seven Junior High athletic options, are available.
◆ Renovation Project completed February 2012.
*Student/Teacher ratios are the total number of students in the building divided by the number of classroom teachers (elementary) or the number of core subject and special education teachers (secondary).
Updates:
Assessment...
A variety of benchmark and diagnostic assessments are used by teachers to assess student progress in the Allegheny Valley School District. The annual Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) is a Pennsylvania standardsbased, criterion-referenced assessment. Students in grades 3 through 8 are assessed in English/language arts and mathematics. Science is assessed in grades 4 and 8. The Pennsylvania Alternate System of Assessment (PASA) is the statewide alternate assessment designated for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities in grades 3-8. Specifically, it is intended for those who are unable to participate meaningfully in the PSSA, even with accommodations. Student acquisition of the Pennsylvania State Common Core Standards is measured through end-ofcourse state required Keystone Exam assessments. The Keystone Exams are given after students have completed Algebra I, Literature, and Biology.
In addition to these state mandated tests, administrators and teachers also utilize results from Classroom Diagnostic Tools (CDT) tests, STAR Reading, Early Literacy and Math, and Acadience reading and math. District staff also considers information from the PVAAS data, PSSA, and Keystone Exams for student progress analysis and during curriculum reviews.
Future Ready PA Index:
The Future Ready PA Index is a collection of school progress measures related to school and student success. It provides school-level academic information for public, charter, and cyber-charter schools throughout the state. Full-time, comprehensive career and technical centers are also part of the profile website.
The Index serves several purposes, including to inform the public of the academic performance measures of each school listed on the site. All data used on the site comes from the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s authoritative data sources. The Index compiles a range of assessment, on-track, and readiness indicators, to more accurately report student learning, growth, and success in the classroom and beyond. The Index is released each fall and can be found online at https://futurereadypa.org/.
Several information tabs provide the site visitor with facts, explanation of score factors, academic performance information, and the ability to compare schools. The site also provides links to various reports that the District must supply annually to the Department of Education.
Allegheny Valley understands that the Index reflects the District’s status in a number of areas, providing a report where administrators can reflect on the data to identify areas that need to be improved. Modifications to the curriculum, the use of District data to assess each student’s individual progress, and additional evaluation of practices, all play a role in improving areas where students need support.
2023 Results:
Scores reflect the percent proficient or advanced on the PSSA/Keystone exams.
Curriculum...
This year, Acmetonia Elementary School began CKLA/Amplify, a new reading series for students in Kindergarten to grade 6. “Built on the Science of Reading, Amplify Core Knowledge Language Arts (CKLA) sequences deep content knowledge with research-based foundational skills. With new digital features and multimedia resources, it’s now more engaging and flexible than ever.” (https:// amplify.com/programs/amplify-core-knowledge-language-arts/) Training for staff members occurred prior to the beginning of the school year.
The school also kicked off a math intervention pilot program, Spring Math, in grades 1, 3, 5, and 6. The program assesses classes on a weekly basis and determines any additional support that may be needed. These supports can then be added to class sessions to help individual students. Areas for the program were selected due to the importance of certain math skills being developed by the end of specific grade levels. The District looks to recommend the series to the School Board for use in the 2024-25 school year.
New textbooks have been adopted at the high school level, while new classes have also been announced in Family Consumer Science and Technology Education. These classes, approved by the School Board in January, will create new learning opportunities and allow more students to take the classes. Staff will complete writing the course curriculum so students will be able to register for the classes for the 2024-25 school year.
Finally, Allegheny Valley School District continues its cycle for curriculum writing, with mathematics, social studies and science. A full evaluation of the of the programs and mapping have begun.
Facilities...
Many things are happening in the District’s Buildings and Grounds Department. A roof project began in November for the Acmetonia Elementary School. Due to leakage areas in the older part of the school, administrators determined that replacements were necessary for portions of the building; the construction began in early November. The construction crew started the replacement in the back of the school and progressed to the front. The tentative completion date, which is highly dependent on the weather, is Spring of 2024.
Discussions concerning renovations at the high school continue, with the goal to add bathrooms at the Marshall Auditorium that are handicap accessible. In addition, the Board is working toward razing Colfax Upper Elementary School, with an architect leading the project at this time. Talks also continue with Springdale Borough on the issues at Veterans’ Field. Updates on both projects are given at monthly School Board Meetings.
Allegheny Valley has received grants from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) to upgrade security in and around the buildings. In addition, the District has allocated funding to update technology systems. The public address system at Acmetonia Elementary was completed in the summer, with the high school system scheduled for the summer of 2024. The access control and camera systems have been researched, with priorities for the systems established. Administrators are working to update new systems in the summer of 2024.
Finally, the Emergency Management Committee continues to oversee safety and security for the District. For the 2023-2024 school year, the committee goals include revising the reunification plan, conducting a large-scale drill, continuing professional development and training for staff and students. The Emergency Plan updates were completed in August 2023.
Pupil Services...
Student Services in the Allegheny Valley School District serves as the center that connects our schools, students, families, and community with the necessary resources and supports to assure the academic, social, behavioral, and emotional well-being and success of all students. This area includes the Dynamo Virtual Academy, Student Assistance, Social Worker services, and Homeless Status.
This year, 31 students attended the Dynamo Virtual Academy (DVA). This online learning option is for students who reside in the District and will enter grades K-12. The DVA provides students with a blend of virtual learning and on site coursework, along with the opportunity to participate in school activities. DVA partners with The Allegheny Intermediate Unit’s Waterfront Learning to provide the research-based online learning experiences.
Acmetonia Elementary school continued its co-teaching initiative. Co-teachers support students in English Language Arts and mathematics classrooms, students have the opportunity to learn from two teachers in a fluid model of teaching. Data results show an increase in student achievement in classes that are being co-taught. This year, the model was extended to the high school building.
The Student Assistance Program (SAP) is designed to assist students who may be having difficulties that interfere with their academic success. Through SAP, a team gathers information to create interventions to help these students succeed in school. Academic, mental health, and/or drug and alcohol intervention are available through SAP.
The Pennsylvania Department of Education invited the District to present their research and conclusions about Inclusion and Co-Teaching at the 2024 PDE Special Education Showcase. Ms. Vecchio, Ms. Cooper, and Dr. Holler shared data results in English/Language Arts and math (grades K, 4, and 5) that showed growth in all areas, while indicating a decrease in student referrals for special education evaluations.
Technology...
The Technology Department has purchased viewboards for various classrooms in the high school. This project is in phase two of completion, with boards installed last year in Acmetonia Elementary. The project replaces all projector setups in the individual rooms throughout the District. The 1:1 program continues at all grade levels, with distribution of equipment held prior to the start of school for most of the District.
Other changes in the technology area include, a switch of the District’s primary e-mail domain (domain is the part after the @) to avsd.school. The new domain is shorter, easier to type, and easier to explain over the phone. The school community is becoming familiar with e-mail coming from the school that has the @avsd.school address.
Allegheny Valley also updated and expanded its communication efforts with technology. A new mass notification system to provide information to families and staff was implemented at the start of school. E-mails, texts, and phone calls are now made through this system to advise individuals of students absences, cafeteria updates, emergency situations, or activities and events. The District selected the School Messenger system, which has alleviated some of the connectivity issues from the prior system.
The District continues its weekly newsletter distributions of This Friday... The publication provides updates for parents on happenings in both buildings and highlights a current classroom, department, or activity in each issue. In addition, newsletters for specific buildings and departments, such as Special Education and Pupil Services continue. All of these bulletins support the effort of providing additional information to families about practices in the Allegheny Valley School District.
Financials:
The 2023-2024 Allegheny Valley School District budget calls for budgetary expenditures of $24,665,258. Approved at the June 20, 2023 Regular Meeting. The budget includes an increase in expenditures from the 2022-2023 budget of a projected $935,657 or 3.5 percent.
Highlights
The 2023-2024 General Fund reflects:
n No increase in the millage rate of 20.8377 mills.
n The instructional budget represents approximately half of all costs to the District.
n Increases in the budget are attributed to costs of retirement, healthcare, contractual obligations with salaries, special education and debt service.
n Overall, the Budget was balanced using the increased federal ESSER funding.
1100 Basic Instruction
1300 Vocational Education
2023-24 $ 8,990,676
Amt. of Increase $ 348,180 % of Budget 36.47 %
Includes: All activities dealing directly with the interaction between teachers and students including salaries, textbooks, supplies, and equipment.
Comments:
1. Increase due to staffing needs. 2. Increase in benefit contributions.
1200 Special Education
2023-24 $3,296,931
Amt. of Increase $ 3,930 % of Budget 13.37 %
Includes: Salaries for special education teachers and aides. Programs include life skills, learning, emotional, speech & language, and gifted support. Also included are supplies, services, and some tuition payments.
Comments:
1. Minimal changes.
2023-24 $ 250,000
Amt. of Increase $ 00 % of Budget 1.02 %
Includes: Forbes Road Career and Technical Center expenditures.
Comments: 1. Unchanged from prior year.
1400 Other Instruction
2023-24 $ 147,000
Amt. of Increase $ 00 % of Budget 0.63 %
Includes: Alternative Education costs. Comments: 1. Increase in placements.
1800 Pre-Kindergarten Instruction
2023-24 $ 198,225
Amt. of Increase $ 9,169 % of Budget 0.80 %
Includes: Pre-Kindergarten program costs.
Comments:
1. Minimal increase of program costs.
2100 Pupil Personnel
2023-24 $ 725,458
Amt. of Deacrease $ 68,884 % of Budget 2.94 %
Includes: Guidance, attendance, psychological services and student accounting systems. As well as salaries of guidance and support staff.
Comments: 1. Increase in salaries and benefits.
2200 Instructional Staff
2023-24 $ 705,015
Amt. of Decrease $ 127,852 % of Budget 2.74 %
Includes: Salaries of staff in the areas of audiovisual and library services as well as supplies, equipment, and services for curriculum development, staff development, and computer-assisted instruction.
Comments: 1. Attrition with retirement.
2300 Administration
2023-24 $ 1,604,166
Amt. of Decrease $ 97,669 % of Budget 6.5 %
Includes: Board services, tax assessment/collection services, legal services, and the offices of the superintendent, public relations, and building principals.
Comments:
1. Operational cost offset from Capital Reserve funds.
2400 Pupil Health
2023-24 $ 278,916
Amt. of Increase $ 8,289 % of Budget 1.15%
Includes: Medical, dental, and nursing services for students along with supplies. Also included are trainer services, costs for AEDs, and salaries for the nursing staff.
Comments:
1. Minimal increase in costs.
2500 Business Office
2023 -24 $ 506,085
Amt. of Increase $ 27,936 % of Budget 2.05 %
Includes: Salaries of business office staff along with supplies, expenses, and equipment necessary to operate the school district.
Comments:
1. Increase in service costs.
2600 Operation & Maintenance of Plant Services
2023 -24 $2,688,655
Amt. of Increase $ 102,611 % of Budget 10.92 %
Includes: Salaries of custodial and maintenance staff plus all supplies, equipment, and utility costs needed to keep the physical plant, grounds, and equipment in working order.
Comments:
1. Increase in personnel and maintenance/ repairs costs.
2700 Student Transportation Services
2023-24 $1,491,352
Amt. of Increase $ 141,915 % of Budget 6.07 %
Includes: Transportation for all district students including those going to private, parochial, and special needs schools. Also included is transportation for state mandated early intervention programs. This transportation is also provided through the summer. Comments:
1. Increase in transportation contract costs.
2800 Technology
2023 -24 $ 591,317
Amt. of Increase $ 657 % of Budget 2.39 %
Includes: Network, security, non-educational technology. Comments: 1. Minimal increase.
2900 Other Support Services
2023-24 $ 145,531
Amt. of Decrease $ 10,036 % of Budget 0.59 %
Includes: Salaries for lunch monitors. Comments: 1. Decrease in services.
3000 Student Activities & Community Services
2023 -24 $ 676,211
Amt. of Decrease $ 12,889 % of Budget 2.79 %
Includes: Salaries and supplies for student activities, athletics, and community services along with transportation and equipment for these programs and salaries for coaches and the Athletic Director.
Comments: 1. Decrease in costs and equipment.
5000 Other Financing
2023-24 $2,355,720
Amt. of Decrease $ 6,240 % of Budget 9.57 %
Includes: Debt service, food service & athletic fund transfers.
Comments: 1. Decrease in debt service payments after refinancing.
Administration
Patrick M. Graczyk, Ed.D.
Melissa Holler, Ph.D.
Jennifer Vecchio
Andrew Leviski
Melissa Gibbon
Gregory J. Heavner
Hamsini Rajgopal
Janice Zastawniak
Alan Donnelly
Amanda Noel
Matt Maine
Jay Zangrille
Superintendent
Supervisor of Pupil Services
Coordinator of Curriculum & Instruction
High School Principal
High School Assistant Principal
Elementary Supervisor
Business Manager
Public Relations Director
Food Service Director
Athletic Director/Transportation Director
Supervisor of Technology
School Board
Antonio Pollino
President
Kathleen Haas Vice President
Paula Jean Moretti
Salvatore Conte
Mary Ellen Ecker
Nicole Paulovich
Larry Pollick
Glenna Renaldi
Amy Sarno
Our Mission
The mission of the Allegheny Valley School District, a group of small traditional communities, is to educate all students to achieve their maximum potential. A dedicated staff, in partnership with school, home, and community, will empower students to become responsible and contributing citizens able to meet challenges in an international society.
Treasurer
Supervisor of Buildings & Grounds Partnership for Excellence: Youth, School and Community
The Allegheny Valley School District will not discriminate in its education programs, activities, or employment practices, based on race, color, national origin, gender, religion, ancestry, disability, union membership, or any other legally protected classification. Announcement of this policy is in accordance with state and federal laws, including Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and sections 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Employees and others involved with the District who have a complaint of discrimination or harassment or require information about accommodations for disabled individuals, should contact the superintendent of schools by calling 724-274-5300 or writing and mailing a letter addressed to 300 Pearl Avenue, Cheswick, PA 15024.